What is an Evangelical?

It’s over twenty years now since  the controversy  over Steve Chalke’s book, The Lost Message of Jesus.  Central to the controversy was his rejection of Penal Substitution and central to the response was that you can’t deny Penal Substitution and continue to be recognised as an Evangelical.

It is worth noting that at the time, the rejection of Chalke’s position was not uniform.  Some people indicated agreement with him, others disagreed but suggested that it wasn’t that bad, he was wrong on the detail but this didn’t amount to a full rejection of the atonement just a model. Further, he was apparently arguing from Scripture.  Indeed Chalke continued. To be involved at senior level Evangelical leadership with Spring Harvest and Premier Christianity and remained part of the Evangelical Alliance.  It took him advocating for same sex marriage for that to change.

Indeed, it remains the case today that those who deny penal substitution are welcomed as Evangelical leaders and spokesmen, even in conservative circles. 

Now, it’s not my intention to rehearse the full Penal Substitution debate here., though I do agree if matters and will hopefully show why. Rather, I primarily wanted to pause again and think about how we decide who is an Evangelical.

I believe there are three crucial points here.  First, it is important to accept the authority of Scripture as God’s sufficient, true,  clear Word, without error.  This will be demonstrated not just in affirmation of doctrinal statements but will shape our methodology,  the hermeneutics we employ.

Second, it means that we will believe the content of God’s Word, particularly in regards to the Gospel.  This is why Chalke’s departure on Penal Substitution was so crucial because it involved a rejection of what the Bible tells us about God’s nature and character as well as a departure from what it says about human nature and sin.

Thirdly, it will affect how we live because our ethics will be shaped by God’s Word and that Gospel.  This is the marker of whether or not we really believe God’s Word.